Premier League

AC need to sell for Tevez bid

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 22:12:00

Fernando Torres scored four times and missed a penalty as Spain
cantered to a 10-0 victory over Tahiti in the Confederations
Cup.

There had been predictions that the World and European champions
would reach double figures, but they only led 1-0 after half an
hour before moving through the gears.

David Villa had a hat-trick, David Silva scored twice and Juan
Mata also netted as Spain went top of Group B ahead of Nigeria's
meeting with Uruguay later in the evening.

It took Spain less than five minutes to take the lead as Torres
exchanged a quick one-two with Mata and burst into the box from the
left wing. The Chelsea striker then calmly sidefooted inside the
near post of Mikael Roche.

The crowd were getting excited every time Tahiti made it out of
their own half and were whipped into a frenzy as Steevy Chong Hue
made a surging run forward and drew a foul from Raul Albiol.

Marama Vahirua stood over the free-kick but he could only put it
into the wall.

Tahiti had so far managed to held their own but two goals in as
many minutes just after the half-hour gave the scoreline the look
many had been expecting.

First Villa played a beautiful ball from the edge of the D which
Silva latched on to and calmly slotted home low with his left foot
in the 31st minute.

And just two minutes later it was 3-0 as Mata's ball allowed
Torres to break the offside trap, chip the ball over Roche and pass
into the empty net.

Silva then returned the favour to Villa in the 39th minute as
the Manchester City midfielder threaded a ball through and Villa
took a single touch before firing past Roche.

It took just four second-half minutes for Spain to make it five
as some clever build up saw Nacho Monreal square the ball to Villa
who hammered home his second.

And eight minutes later Torres had his hat-trick as he converted
from substitute Jesus Navas' cross.

Villa joined Torres with a treble in the 62nd minute as the
Barcelona striker, who looked to be offside, ran on to a long ball
over the top and passed into an open net when Roche came out but
failed to gather.

Three minutes later it was eight as Mata played a one-two with
Silva and fired under the body of Roche.

Spain were in autopilot now and were handed a penalty in the
78th minute as Ricky Aitamai handled Navas' cross but Torres hit
the bar with his spot-kick.

He had his fourth and Spain's ninth just a minute later,
however, as he rounded Roche and slotted home.

Many had predicted that Spain would make it into double figures
tonight and so it proved as Silva turned in the box and fired home,
equalling Tahiti's largest ever defeat which came against New
Zealand in 2004.

Galliani has already confirmed Milan's interest in Tevez, who
they failed to sign last year after his public falling out with
Manchester City.

The 29-year-old Tevez is being strongly linked with a move away
from the Etihad Stadium this summer, though, as he just one-year
left on his current deal.

Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Juventus have also been linked,
but Galliani admits Milan's failure to sell players, such as
Robinho, could hamper their chances.

"Tevez is a Manchester City player and we will not be doing
anything unless someone else leaves first," Galliani told Sky
Sports Italia.

"If another club wants to come forward for Tevez, then they are
welcome to do so.

"If we do not sell one of our players, then we cannot make any
other moves."

He admitted that Robinho's possible move back to Brazil with
Santos was not moving on.

"Robinho, the negotiations with Santos are static. We are in
talks, but have not reached any agreement on the figures," he
said.

He also spoke about the futures of Kevin Prince Boateng and
Stephan El Shaarawy - but he insisted there were no offers for
either.

On El Shaarawy he said: "We never thought about sell him, there
are no particular offers for him and at the moment everything is
calm.

"There are no offers for Boateng. The player has not requested a
move, nor have any other clubs made enquiries.

"I met with Monaco, but it was purely a courtesy visit. Nobody
believes me!"

He did confirm that they have an interest in Sampdoria
midfielder Andrea Poli, with M'Baye Niang linked in exchange

"Poli could be of interest to us, but only if someone else
leaves. There are no Sampdoria requests for Niang," he said.

"We believe that the squad is competitive, so if we do not sell
anyone then we won't bring anyone else in."

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